silicone sealant?

[markmartin]

What is the correct gasket sealant to use on the valve cover gasket? The Hayes manual says " apply a thin coat of silicone sealant ..."  at the half roundy section at the right end.

I looked up gasket sealant and silicone sealant and I find red sealant, there's blue , there's black,  RTV, High Temp, Sensor safe on so on. 

Also, what is a good solvent to use to get the old sealant (safely) off the rubber gasket?

I'm attempting my first valve adjustment on the FJ, just pulled the valve cover off and want to have the right stuff when it's time to reassemble.

Thanks!

Mark

[simi_ed]

I've used clear or black, mainly to hold the gasket into the cover. 
Spray carb cleaner work as a good solvent.  Gasoline will also cut silicone, but it IS NOT RECOMMENDED, due to the fire hazard.

[weymouth399]

Yama-bond 4, If the gasket is new nothing, if semi new nothing, if dried up yes, replace.
If you do use it very thin on the cam buttons only, grease the rest if you need help holding the gaskets.

Bob W

Mark If you need any help just ask, I have lots of shims. I will be going up that way SOON to ride.  

[markmartin]

Thanks Bob, I'm going to put a little on the cam buttons (half roundy section) as there was some sealant there before.  Thanks for telling me 'a little'.  You know how that goes, if a little is good...  Thanks also for the offer to help.  What a forum this is huh? If all the information isn't enough, someone will show up in person to walk you through it!!   Between the Hayes manual and information on this forum, I'm feeling pretty good about getting this task accomplished, although reserve the right to ask more questions or if needed, take you up on the help should I really frigg things up.  BTW, it was 29 degrees F in my garage today--I've been waiting for a warm day.  How soon do you think you're going to be riding anyway??  I'm doubting your judgement now...

I've got to wait for my shim bucket hold down tool to come in the mail before I proceed any further.

simi_ed, thanks also;  I used a link you posted in a prior thread on this valve adjustment topic.  It's a good explanation and the pictures are so much clearer than the Hayes manual. http://www.xjrog.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=666.15

[rktmanfj]

Thanks Bob, I'm going to put a little on the cam buttons (half roundy section) as there was some sealant there before.  Thanks for telling me 'a little'.  You know how that goes, if a little is good...  Thanks also for the offer to help.  What a forum this is huh? If all the information isn't enough, someone will show up in person to walk you through it!!   Between the Hayes manual and information on this forum, I'm feeling pretty good about getting this task accomplished, although reserve the right to ask more questions or if needed, take you up on the help should I really frigg things up.  BTW, it was 29 degrees F in my garage today--I've been waiting for a warm day.  How soon do you think you're going to be riding anyway??  I'm doubting your judgement now...

I've got to wait for my shim bucket hold down tool to come in the mail before I proceed any further.

If you haven't already gotten the cover bolt grommets, you'd might as well order 'em and wait just a bit longer. 

[markmartin]

If you haven't already gotten the cover bolt grommets, you'd might as well order 'em and wait just a bit longer.  

The grommets are 3 years old, about 15,000 miles and look OK-no cracks and still feel supple--not rock hard anyway.   I was planning on reusing them; unless that's just asking for trouble?  Let me know. I just looked at Randy's site and I can get 8 for less than $20, so it isn't a big deal if it's better to just change them out.

[Pat Conlon]

Mark, you should be fine on the grommets. If you do get leakage they are super easy to replace without taking off the valve cover or disturbing the gasket.

+1 on what Bob said. I thought I was being clever and used YamahaBond on *both* sides of the gasket.

A Big, Big mistake. Lesson learned. Never again.

Poor Randy. He had some choice words for me regarding my ancestry.

[rktmanfj]

If you haven't already gotten the cover bolt grommets, you'd might as well order 'em and wait just a bit longer.  

The grommets are 3 years old, about 15,000 miles and look OK-no cracks and still feel supple--not rock hard anyway.   I was planning on reusing them; unless that's just asking for trouble?  Let me know. I just looked at Randy's site and I can get 8 for less than $20, so it isn't a big deal if it's better to just change them out.

Yeah, as Pat said they're probably okay for a while longer then.

Seems like nine times out of ten when I check on them, they are just cooked!

[cyclenutk75]

I used Hondabond 4 when I replaced the gasket last spring - just a bit on the corners at the half-rounds.  Used a little vacuum grease to hold the gasket in place on the cover for reassembly.  10k miles since and no leaks.
GT

[HUNT 1200]

I used Hondabond 4 when I replaced the gasket last spring - just a bit on the corners at the half-rounds.  Used a little vacuum grease to hold the gasket in place on the cover for reassembly.  10k miles since and no leaks.
GT

I dont know a thing about yamabond but I use the grey permatex sillicone on rear ends and other things that come in contact with oil and it works the best. I have never had to go behind something that I used the grey on! Just make sure its clean and you will have to pry it off later.

[weymouth399]

  BTW, it was 29 degrees F in my garage today--I've been waiting for a warm day.  How soon do you think you're going to be riding anyway??  I'm doubting your judgement now...

Mark, Remember I have 2 riding seasons per year.
April to dec FJs, Dec to March KXs Ice Ice baby
I am trying to setup a bangor ride first of the year. I don't know exactly where yet hopefully the bog behind the mall or bucksport.

Bob

We are riding this weekend if you want to check it out.

[markmartin]

I dont know a thing about yamabond but I use the grey permatex sillicone on rear ends and other things that come in contact with oil and it works the best. I have never had to go behind something that I used the grey on! Just make sure its clean and you will have to pry it off later.

Grey is the color of the sealant that was on the gasket, and from what I can find out, the color of Yamabond 4.  Maybe the same stuff?  I found some Yamabond 4 here.

http://www.boats.net/parts/detail/yamaha/Y-ACC-BOND4-MA-00.html?CAWELAID=976810839

This appears to be the same stuff.  http://www.bikebandit.com/threebond-liquid-gasket-1194

[markmartin]

I am trying to setup a bangor ride first of the year. I don't know exactly where yet hopefully the bog behind the mall or bucksport.

We are riding this weekend if you want to check it out.

Interesting. PM me when you're going to be in Bangor.

[weymouth399]

Yama-bond #4 is grey, semi drying, factory Yamaha sealant.
Kawi-bond is good displaces oil.
Never used honda bond but have used HRP chemicals before and work well too.

Any/all sealants are to be lightly used, basicly you can smell it but shouldn't really be able to see it. If you gob it on you are making a gasket not sealing one.

Bob W

We should have good ice on the ponds, not the lakes yet. I will let you know when Travis and I come up.

[ddlewis]

Permatex makes a similar (threebond/yamabond) gasket goo product called "The Right Stuff" that comes in a cheez-wiz like dispenser.  It's about the same stuff I like the dispenser can.  have used it with no leaks for a while.